Local News

State Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield, introduced legislation to create a tax credit for agricultural employers to help cover the cost of paying overtime wages to farmworkers.   Senate Bill 921, co-sponsored by the California Farm Bureau and the California Association...

Abiam Alvarez knows exactly what it feels like to stare down endless rows of crops, bucket in hand, hustling to earn enough money before the sun sets. “They’re paying you by the buckets, so you really have to be hustling to make money,” said Alvarez,...

I enjoy standing in holy places. In a world filled with chaos, contention and calamity, it’s important to take time to pause and stand in holy places to find peace. One of my favorite scriptures comes from our Doctrine and Covenants, Section 87, verse...

The Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased 2,284 acres of ranchland in southern Santa Clara County for $23 million, the organization announced Jan. 29. The acquisition brings POST’s total holdings at the former Sargent Ranch property to 6,114 acres and preserves sacred native land that...

BookSmart Community Advantage has announced the winners of its 2025 Gift of Reading Essay Contest, an annual event that launches the organization’s Gift of Reading program aimed at promoting literacy and access to books for local students. Students were asked to respond to the prompt:...

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is accepting applications for scholarships that are available for college-bound high schoolers as well as current college and continuing education students with a primary residence in PG&E’s service area in Northern and Central California, says a press release...

After more than three years of dedicated planning, listening and partnership, Santa Clara Family Health Plan has opened the South County Community Resource Center at 150 Leavesley Road in Gilroy.  This marks the second CRC opened by the local health plan, as it also operates...

City of Morgan Hill authorities closed down a local smoke shop last week that had allegedly been operating illegally.  About 1:30pm Jan. 23, Morgan Hill Police were joined by the fire department as well as the city’s code compliance and building officials in conducting a...

Police arrested two people who allegedly held up a Gilroy household at gunpoint, stole the victims’ BMW and led authorities on a chase through Morgan Hill. At least two other suspects are still on the run, police said.  About 12:35am Jan. 30, Santa Clara County...

The criminal case against Christina Johnson, the former operator of a daycare in Gilroy, was dismissed in Santa Clara County Superior Court on Jan. 29.  Felony charges against Johnson related to a Gilroy Police investigation dating back to 2024 were dismissed due to insufficient evidence,...